Padiham man’s inclusive rave United by the Groove returns for second year
A groundbreaking inclusive rave launched by a Padiham music fan is returning for a second edition this weekend.
United by the Groove will take over The Yard in Manchester on Saturday, from 4pm until 10pm, with another line-up of house and trance DJs and a continued focus on making clubbing more accessible to disabled music fans and performers.
The event was founded by Joe Skinner, from Padiham, alongside friends and co-organisers Lee, Gabe and Charlie after Joe’s own experiences of navigating the music scene as a wheelchair user.
Its first edition last year attracted more than 70 people and raised more than £1,400 for disability charity Sense.
"It was about raising awareness and showcasing that disabled people do attend these spaces and places, and promoting that message of inclusivity,” said Joe. “It was just a really positive sense of community and belonging, because that is what music is. It’s a universal language that everyone can get behind.”
Returning DJs for the second edition include AJ Murphy, Jake Smith, who has previously performed at Creamfields, and Finlay Allen, while DKH will make his official event debut.
Events brands Compakt and Xtratrax will also return, with Kai Moreland and Boysy Blue among those involved.
Organisers say accessibility remains at the heart of United by the Groove, with the event built around a “people first” approach.
The Yard will again feature integrated sensory spaces and Braille signage, with the aim of creating an environment where disabled and non-disabled music fans can enjoy the event together.
Joe said one of the biggest barriers to improving accessibility can simply be a reluctance to start the conversation.
He said event organisers and venues can sometimes worry about saying the wrong thing or getting something wrong when dealing with disability, but that fear can itself prevent progress.
Joe said: “It’s often the lack of conversation that prevents things from occurring and movements from being created.
“We’re not all experts. Just because I’ve got a disability myself doesn’t mean I know everything about another disability.
“It’s about having that conversation, working together and collaborating to recognise that we’re not all experts, but we can learn from each other and make a space as inclusive as possible.”
The second edition is being sponsored by Wil’s Wishes, whose support organisers say has helped them deliver a fully accessible event.
This year, United by the Groove will also raise funds and awareness for Shape Arts, a disability-led organisation which supports disabled creatives and campaigns for greater accessibility across the cultural sector.
Joe said the choice of charity reflected the wider ambition behind the event and the need to make sure disabled creatives are given opportunities.
He said: “If we don’t provide these opportunities, we’re missing out on some really untapped talent.
“Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they’re not creative, but people can be prevented from getting those opportunities because of something like an inaccessible DJ booth, an inaccessible toilet or even the timing of an event.”
The 4pm to 10pm running time is itself part of the accessibility planning, helping reduce some of the difficulties and additional costs disabled people can face when travelling to and from late-night events.
Joe added: “We just want to spread a message that music is for everyone and to see the person first rather than the disability.”